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| Profile |
| Scientific
name: |
Zacco pachycephalus |
| Common
name: |
Stream brother, Ku
cou zi, Wide-mouthed man (male fish), red cat |
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| Features: |
The
Zacco pachycephalus has a long, flat body that grows on average
to a length of 12-18cm, though they can sometimes grow as
long as 20cm. They have large mouths with no barbels that
protrude outward and extend horizontally to the area just
below their eyes. Their backs are grayish-green, and their
sides and bellies are silvery-white. Male fish also have ten
narrow light-blue bands on their sides. |
| Behavior: |
Zacco
pachycephalus prefer to stay in the rear portions of deep
lakes where the current flows quickly. They are very active
fish most commonly seen in the early morning hours and in
the evenings, when they will jump out of the water to catch
flying insects. Their breeding season is between May and August,
at which time males will develop breeding tuberdes on their
heads, as well as red, green, and black colored nuptial bands
on their sides. Zacco pachycephalus inhabit lakes, swamps,
and the middle and lower reaches of rivers. Fingerlings are
omnivorous, feeding primarily on algae, aquatic insects, and
terrestrial insects, whereas adults are more carnivorous,
feeding mainly on the small omnivorous fish found in streams. |
| Habitat: |
Zacco
pachycephalus appear in every catchment area in Taiwan except
for those in Taitung and Hualien. |
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